Minnesota Taking On Seattle In a Meaningful Game for Both

Each week going forward, a number of games will have postseason implications. One such game features the improving Minnesota Vikings, leaders in the NFC North and the defending NFC Champions Seattle Seahawks.

Minnesota is 8-3 on the season, while Seattle is 6-5. Odds makers have Seattle -1 on the road.

The teams last played in 2013 with the Seahawks winning by 21 points covering a home favorite spread o 13.5 points.

Seattle is coming off a hard fought 39-30 win at home against Pittsburgh. The win pushed the Seahawks up into the second and final wildcard spot in the NFC for the time being. Since 2012, the Seahawks are 22-5 SU and 21-6 ATS during the second half of the season including 2-1 SU and ATS thus far in the second half of the 2015 season.

The offense is coming around putting up an average of 33.3 points per game and 429 yards in the past three games. However, the defense is not holding its own, allowing over 27 points per game and more than 431 yard per game.

Minnesota had its winning streak of seven games at home come to an end against Green Bay 30-13 two weeks ago. However, the Vikings are still 13-4 SU and ATS over their past 17 games at home

Minnesota is perfect at 7-0 SU and ATS in it past 7 games at home versus non-NFC North opponents, with an average margin of victory of 9.4 points.

Minnesota needs to win to maintain or extend its one game lead over Green Bay in the division.

If the NFL season ended after last week, the Vikings would be hosting the Seahawks in a playoff game.

However, five weeks remain which means each week is as important as the previous week as both teams try to stay in playoff contention.

The running game for both teams will be important. Minnesota with Adrian Peterson could be the difference, especially if the day is cold in Minneapolis. Seattle lost its starting running back Marshawn Lynch.

Take Minnesota to cover in this matchup.